On Dec. 15th, 5:35 PM EST, the City of Tartus witnessed Israel launch an air strike on the Syrian Coast. The strike grew more alarming when it caused a 3.0 magnitude earthquake. In a matter of seconds, Tartus became frightened by the site of the explosion’s mushroom cloud. Military experts later recognized that Israel had dropped a seismic bomb. Now, many US and Syrian citizens are trying to survive Israel’s strike zones that have been ongoing since Dec. 8th.
The Air Strikes on Syria
Damascus Overthrown by Israel and Biden
Over the past week, Israel struck Damascus to destroy dictator Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian military bases. These bases were believed to contain chemical weapons and long-range missiles while in alliance with Russia and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been preparing the opportunity to strike Syria since Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. The Damascus invasion took place after President Joe Biden ordered 75 airstrikes on ISIS’s locations in central Syria. The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed the press that these air strikes are necessary to ensure these weapons of mass destruction do not fall under extremists.
Netanyahu also wanted to cease Hezbollah’s resupply route in Lebanon. Their plan had succeeded as Israel successfully raided the capital, forcing al-Assad to flee. Then on Tues. Dec. 9th, Defense Minister Israel Katz reported that the Israeli Navy eradicated Syria’s southern fleet. This left the country’s southern coast unprotected, and a total of 480 strikes were made, with 350 of them being carried out by Air Force.
al-Assad’s Escape to Moscow
Israel continued to launch strikes non-stop throughout the 10th and 11th. During that time frame, al-Assad had been discovered to be rescued by Putin. The Russian President warned his ally of his loss as Syberian rebels rose alongside Israel if he stayed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told NBC News the Syberian dictator had been safely escorted to Moscow. When asked if al-Assad would be turned in under the International Criminal Court’s custody, Ryabkov responds he is under Moscow’s protection.
Trump’s Presidency Effecting Anti-Nuclear Mission
Meanwhile, on Dec. 13th, Netanyahu told the public that 85% of al-Assad’s military has been wiped out. Without the Syrian dictator and his defenses weakened, it leaves Iran’s missile bases and nuclear plants open for an attack. Their main goal is to conquer the Golan Heights to re-establish a buffer zone to provide security between Israel and neighboring countries. However, due to Donald Trump’s re-elected presidency, he is considering his options for the US’s involvement in Israel’s anti-nuclear mission. Trump is aware of the consequences if he pulls away from it.
Israel Sends An ‘Earthquake Bomb’
The air strikes that the US and Israel have led to one of the most devastating explosions on the Syrian Coast in 12 years. The next target on the list is Tartus, a major port city on the Mediterranean Coast. Within its perimeter were two Russian military bases associated with al-Assad. They became the only entry for Russian officials since 2015, alongside Latakia and Hmeimim. One of the bases was used as an ammunition depot. Then, on the evening of Dec. 15th, Israel sent out a secret jet to attack the bases with an ‘earthquake bomb’. Twitter (now X) user OSINTdefender shared the footage to show how deadly Israel’s latest attack was.
The intensely bright mushroom cloud could be seen from the Syrian Coast. Their body then fell when a seismic wave shook the ground. In West Turkey, a magnetometer quickly detected the wave’s strength. Researcher Richard Cordaro told The Daily Mail it was a 3.0 magnitude earthquake. What made him terrified about Israel’s ‘earthquake bomb’ is the seismic wave’s speed as he described it was twice as fast. Later, on Dec. 16th at 1:30 AM EST, the US Embassy of Syria posted on social media that US citizens should flee from Syria if possible. The Nabil-Jordan border is now open for them to cross over to Jordan.
War Status Report
Democracy Now has reported that over 800 air strikes have been launched around the Syrian Coast, including the ‘earthquake bomb’. The strength of Israel’s ‘earthquake bomb’ has shown concerns for Syria’s existence and the lengths Biden will go to protect US citizens overseas. Right now, the IDF has made its way into northern Gaza to rescue hostages from Beit Lahiva and Beit Hanoun.
Meanwhile, their 91st Division updated their status on searching for Hezbollah’s operatives and military stash in Southern Lebanon. Division Commander Shai Klepper informed The Times of Israel that over 10,000 weapons have been confiscated. They have attacked over 1,000 targets while destroying monuments in his name. For any missing or damaged passports, US citizens must contact the US Embassy of Amman by email, or follow a contingency plan for dire situations. The US Embassy has been harshly criticized for not initiating evacuation since the Dec. 8th air strikes.
